Former Law Officer Charged with Animal Cruelty

PALESTINE � Nine dogs were seized from a home in Anderson County Monday and a former lawman was arrested after authorities received a call reporting animal cruelty. That’s according to KETK. When deputies made it to the house in the 1600 block of County Road 415, a warrant was served and the dogs were taken, said Sheriff Greg Taylor. Seven other dogs were also running around the property, but officials could not catch them at the time. Traps have been set up to rescue them.

According to Sheriff Taylor, the living conditions were “deplorable,” and the dogs had managed to chew their way out of the house through walls and doors. It appeared as if someone would dump food on the ground and leave, said Taylor. Authorities also reported urine and feces throughout the building, and many of the dogs were suffering from mange.

The homeowner, former Palestine police officer Terry Glenn Tawater, 46, was said to be living at a separate location. He was arrested and charged with animal cruelty, then booked into the Anderson County Jail. The seized dogs were taken to the Humane Society in Palestine.